Choosing an Occupation

One of the most difficult problems a young person faces is deciding what to do about a career. There are individuals, of course, who from the time they are six years old “know” that they want to be doctors or pilots or fire fighters, but the majority of us do not get around to making a decision about an occupation or career until somebody or something forces us to face the problem.

Choosing an occupation takes time, and there are a lot of things you have to think about as you try to decide what you would like to do. You may find that you will have to take special courses to qualify for a particular kind of work, or may find out that you will need to get some actual work experience to gain enough knowledge to qualify for a particular job.

Fortunately, there are a lot of people you can turn to for advice and help in making your decision. At almost schools, there are teachers who are professionally qualified to counsel you and to give detailed information about job qualifications. And you can talk over your ideas with family members and friends who are always ready to listen and to offer suggestions. But even if you get other people involved in helping you make a decision, self evaluation is an important part of the decision-making process.

Tasks to the Text

Task 1. Give English equivalents to the following Russian words and phrases. Find the sentences with them in the text and make up the sentences of your own in analogy.

столкнуться с проблемой обнаружить

пожарный приобрести знания

большинство из нас обсудить

выбор профессии привлечь других людей

обладать квалификацией для определенной работы

Task 2. Answer the questions. Use the text to help you to answer the questions. Give reasons for your answers

1. What is the most difficult problem for young people when they are about to leave school?

2. Why don the majority of young people hesitate what profession to choose?

3. When do they make a decision about an occupation?

4. What things do you have to think about when choosing an occupation?

5. What should one do to qualify for a particular job?

6. Whom can you turn to for advice when making a decision?

7. What is the most important part of the decision-making process?

Vocabulary 2. Job Titles.

accountant gardener

baby sitter housepainter

baker interpreter

bank teller live-in-companion

barber/hair stylist manager

bus driver pharmacist

cashier plumber

computer programmer railroad conductor

construction worker receptionist

cook salesperson

doctor security guard

electrician sewing machine operator

employment counselor travel agent

florist waiter

Training exercises.

Ex.1. Study the list and think of corresponding personal traits, skills, responsibilities to match these occupations (consult Unit 2).

Ex.2. Analyze your abilities, interests and skills. What job is suitable for you? The following questions will help you.

1. What are my abilities?

2. What special talents do I have?

3. What are my special interests?

4. What are my physical abilities and limitations?

5. What are my attitudes and values?

6. How so I see myself or what is my self-concept?

7. What is my previous experience?

8. What are my educational plans for the future?

9. Am I the kind of person who works well in a large group, or do I work better with only one or two people?

10. Am I willing to accept change?

Ex.4. Family occupation tree.

a) Think about your family’s work history. Answer the following questions:

• Is there a tradition in your family of doing certain kind of work?

• What kind of work ethic do the members of your family have?

• What attitudes toward work have been passed from generation to generation?

b) Create family occupation tree. Draw a family tree and label each person’s name on it, list the jobs he/she held, and any special talents or skills they used.

c) Analyze your own family history and try to answer these questions:

• How many members have worked in similar occupations?

• Do you notice any family trends?

• Which relatives were particularly helpful/inspiring to other family members in career matters?

• Do you think the youngest generation will continue family traditions or create new patterns?

• Did location, educational opportunities or special talents influence any choices?

Ex.5. Analyze the responsibilities of representatives of different occupations. Choose one and report on:

• What the main job description is.

• What kind of training/education/talents are needed.

• Where they might work.

• If they would wear anything special.

• If they need any special tools or equipment.

• If the job is more suitable for man or a woman and why.

• If this job might pay well in Russia, in Europe or America.

• If you would have any interest in this occupation. Why or why not.